Educated Guesses: Week 2 of Georgia vs. the Palmetto State

The most significant game in the country once again involves the Georgia Bulldogs against the state of South Carolina. When exactly did Augusta become the center of the college football universe.

After a wildly entertaining opening week matchup between the Bulldogs and Clemson’s Tigers, the Gamecocks head to Sanford Stadium to try to put down the Dawgs. If Jadeveon Clowney has his way with the Georgia offensive line the way Clemson did, the screaming for accountability will grow deafening in Athens, Ga.

Steve Spurrier has once again proven to be a thorn in the side of Georgia, this time from the eastern flank. Last year his Gamecocks put a beating on the Bulldogs to claim an unprecedented third straight victory in the series. If a whole generation of Georgia players graduates without ever beating the Gamecocks, it will leaves scars.

Nobody would feel that more than quarterback Aaron Murray, who is already 0-3 as a starter against South Carolina and still underwhelming against ranked opponents. He will probably leave UGA will every notable QB record, but his legacy will be diminished if he keeps coming up short when it counts the most.

I don’t think that will happen. Georgia still has more depth of talent than South Carolina. Provided the Bulldogs can address the self-inflicted injuries that cost them the Clemson game (not to mention the South Carolina game two years ago between the hedges), Georgia should win.

Of course, I don’t feel nearly as confident about that pick as I did before seeing the left side of the Bulldogs line collapse against the Tigers.

All in all, however, the nearly perfect opening week of picks was promising. If I hadn’t put so much faith in the Cal band to assist in an upset, it would have been a sweep. Oh well.

South Carolina @ Georgia: I still believe that Georgia has more quality athletes and that will make the difference. Of course, that hasn’t mattered much recently. We’ll see. BULLDOGS 31, Gamecocks 21.

S.C. State @ Clemson: Not quite the same caliber of Bulldog this week in Death Valley. A nice appetizer before trap-game season begins. TIGERS 59, Bulldogs 3.

Florida @ Miami: I just changed my mind before typing this because I so want to pick the upset here. But in the end the Gators defense will thwart it. The ACC already got its big SEC scalp last week. GATORS 24, Hurricanes 21.

West Virginia @ Oklahoma: If William & Mary can nearly beat WVU in Morgantown, this should be a laugher. SOONERS 41, Mountaineers 17.

Notre Dame @ Michigan: So Brian Kelly don’t consider this matchup dating back to 1887 a “historic rivalry.” Let’s see how that goes over in The Big House. WOLVERINES 35, “Figthing” Irish 27.

Western Kentucky @ Tennessee: Having been evicted from the SEC West, Bobby Petrino seems to be trying to backdoor his way to an SEC East title. It stops here, barely. VOLUNTEERS 31, Hilltoppers 27.

Wake Forest @ Boston College: Remember when these two programs beat Clemson and FSU to win their ACC division? Me neither. But it did happen. EAGLES 27, Demon Deacons 20.